I'd go for the MBP. The performance of a low end MBP will probably be better than that of a mediocre MacBook. The specs apple show you aren't the end of it, the MBP has larger memory bandwidth, bigger buffers etc...

I have a MBP and had a PB. I'll say that the aluminum is more susceptible to dings and i think (not sure) that the MBs should be more resistent. However, if you're going to college and do need the extra power from the graphics card, go for the MBP.

I'm going to college too - the MacBook Pro is probably about as durable as my 12" iBook - although it's more susceptible to 'dings' and things that don't really make a difference (although it's in perfect condition right now).

I got the Pro for the graphics card and better screen - the 13" widescreen is too small to work in MS Office, in my opinion.

I have used both the MB and MBP, and after returning the MB for cosmetic issues (plastic not glued properly, warping, uneven lcd, and the list goes on), I can tell you that the MBP is built with a much higher quality. The aluminum is beautiful and durable, and is sure to last a long time. Go for the MBP... I promise you won't be dissappointed!

just a heads up, i had a PB before this MB and from having been in my backpack, the screen was damaged (even with having been in its own padded compartment) - the apple guy said the foam in the screen had been damaged because of the pressure from the books (but they replaced it for me). i don't think this is a MB vs PB/MBP problem, as i'm sure both screens would be susceptible, just a warning to get a good sleeve and a good backpack if your future lappy is going to be spending lots of time in it!

I think plastic is more foregiving in terms of daily abuse than metal as far as the computer's casing is concerned. If I am going to put in PB or MBP in the bag, I would make sure the compartment I am going to put it in is securely shielded from other parts of the bag (so that the pressure from other contents in the bag does not reach the computer.

just purchased a MBP 3 weeks ago for college the larger screen and dedicated graphics are what did it for me... I'm sure both the macbook and MBP are both capable of handling the endeavors of college life

I'd go for the MBP. The performance of a low end MBP will probably be better than that of a mediocre MacBook. The specs apple show you aren't the end of it, the MBP has larger memory bandwidth, bigger buffers etc...

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Three to four years ago, this is the advice many of us used to give here at MacRumours: "The iBooks were more resilient than the PowerBooks. Throw it into a sleeve, throw that into a backpack, and away you go. Perfect for student life.

Guess what?

Today, I'm gonna tell you that the MacBooks are more durable than the MBPs, because the MacBooks are still made with white polycarbonate plastic, while the MBPs are still made from anodized aluminium. I'm sure aluminium is strong, but dents like a Coke can and can damage whatever is contained inside.

I had a 12" Alu Powerbook, but it wasn't because it was more durable. The darned thing just looked better.

I have a MacBook now, and because of the new widescreen proportions, looks better than my 12" PowerBook did.

Three to four years ago, this is the advice many of us used to give here at MacRumours: "The iBooks were more resilient than the PowerBooks. Throw it into a sleeve, throw that into a backpack, and away you go. Perfect for student life.

Guess what?

Today, I'm gonna tell you that the MacBooks are more durable than the MBPs, because the MacBooks are still made with white polycarbonate plastic, while the MBPs are still made from anodized aluminium. I'm sure aluminium is strong, but dents like a tin can and can damage whatever is contained inside.

I had a 12" Alu Powerbook, but it wasn't because it was more durable. The darned thing just looked better.

I have a MacBook now, and because of the new widescreen proportions, looks better than my 12" PowerBook did.

Click to expand...

I got a Powerbook instead of an iBook when I started uni because it looked better, and outperformed it.

One of my best mates got an iBook at the same time.

For durability, I'd have chosen the iBook any day. My PowerBook got scractched and dented to hell and back - several times.

yes, the aluminuim is strong, but it's just not great at Uni, cause it takes a bashing, no matter how careful you want to be with it.

Yeah, I got the 12" PB instead of the 12" iBook because it outperformed the iBook. That was like 3 years ago. But 2 years ago and onwards, I would have gone for the iBook because lets face it, the performance was around the same, or extremely similar.

But if the question was which one would you get for durability, I'd have gotten the iBook every time.

And a high-end MacBook with 2 GB of RAM, or a low end MB with 2 GB of RAM and a 7200 rpm harddrive will be almost as good as the MBP in every way except in resolution and heavy intensive gaming. On the other hand, I'd rather have a 13.3" laptop because its smaller, and I wouldn't want the MBPs resolution on a 13.3" screen, so to me the resolution isn't an issue. Also, the large majority of applications won't tax the MBP's graphics card anyway, not even apps like Photoshop or Final Cut.

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